Wednesday, 30 September 2015

As homage to my love of the swinging sixties I've styled the new Novem & Knight bardot mini dress with my super sleek thigh high boots, the softest vintage leather clutch, a comfy woolen camel coat, my classic ruby woo red lip and a few quirky rings to recreate a modern fresh day to evening look.

RED.

The Vintage Classic Beetle.

RUBY WOO LIPSTICK

If you follow me on Instagram. (@floramariastyle) you may already be aware of my slight over obsession with the subtly classic STRIPE. I would if I could wear stripes everyday (like Where's Wally) but I'm a tad worried that I might be seen as a bit bonkers! (Where's Miss Stripe)

The Stolen Treasure

A 'borrowed' authentic vintage leather clutch from my mother years ago. Oh I do love it so x

How simple lines across a piece of fabric can be. Very pleasing on the eye and left feeling effortlessly chic when worn. I have a tendency to opt for a horizontal stripe rather than a vertical one although to be honest any stripe will do. (Stripe! Stripe! Stripe!)

These Boots Are Made For Walking

These golden oldies (had them for years) make me feel fabulously fabulous. Sexy yet so snuggly and warm inside. The designers have kindly inserted a hidden inner platform which makes them surprisingly easy to walk in (especial after a few bevvies). Teaming these oldies with the right outfit is quite key as they are definitely a statement boot so anything else worn needs to be kept light, fresh and feminine to add a bit of sophistication.

If you haven't heard of Novem & Knight I would highly recommend you checking them out. They offer a swift delivery service (Arrived within 2 days) with no extra silly costs and this garment looks and feels even better than what I was expecting. From the slight flared hem finish to the cuff sleeve to the thick 100% organic cotton fabric, I honestly love wearing the bardot (I know it's just a dress but please see earlier posts for my dramatic fashion reasoning) and can see myself wearing this garment again and again enabling you to style in lot's of different exciting ways. The brand are fairly new and you know I'm all for supporting new funky independent designers. From looking at the entire line I not only would like it all please but there is clearly a feel of less is more fashion threading through each piece, which are mainly staple must haves.

Friday, 25 September 2015

So here I am about to divulge and tell all of my Once In A Lifetime Trip of Summer 2014! But it's 2015 why the reflection now you ask. Well to be honest I've never really gotten over it.So my dear best friend aka The Wife (lasting nickname we adopted for each other, NOT actually my wife) said at the start of 2014 let's go travelling as it's a conversation that's been brewing between us for many years. Constantly speaking about our escaping desires for travelling but never really putting our money where our mouth is until......2014. It just felt like the right time for both of us. Like me she is a bit wild and crazy in her own way. Our friendship started over 14 years ago studying the same course at college. Both very open minded, chilled and naturally carrying a similar outlook on life......YOLO. So we booked the (get us the heck out of here) ticket. A five week travelling across AMERICA ticket! In one car. Cross country. Backpacking. Staying in Hostels. To be honest once we actually booked the ticket I was petrified. I mean I didn't actually think we'd book. Me and the wife have been on many holidays before and I knew that she is the perfect travelling partner. That wasn't the problem. I MEAN I DIDN'T THINK WE WOULD ACTUALLY GO AND BOOK THE BLOODY THING. I weren't the only one with doubts. Before we actually booked as mentioned above we'd be speaking about it for years and people would laugh in our faces and say 'You two wouldn't last back packing' or 'Nah you couldn't hack it in them hostels'. We got a lot of that to be honest. But once we booked all that hushed. I MEAN WE ACTUALLY BOOKED (Did I mention we booked).

So once we had finalized all the accommodation, insurance, car hire, flights and other boring but vitally important stuff plus packing all we had to do was start saying our goodbyes. Sounds silly as we were only leaving the UK for five weeks but stepping into the pure unknown with not an inkling of where this little adventure path would lead us saying a farewell to a loved one felt like a necessity....I mean who knows what could happen.

After the longest flight of my life, dehydrated and air conned (I dislike air con) out we arrived safely full of excitement and glee. It was now the dark evening of New York City. First hurdle getting to our accommodation (fast). The Airport was manic and both feeling tired I prompted where are the cab signs? The wife being the wife sensibly stated 'We can't get a cab, it will cost a fortune, remember we are travelling, start as we mean to go on'. To be honest I wanted to throttle her because she was absolutely 100% right. No luxury here. So off we went hunting for the subway to W
23rd St.

Dining in SOHO.

Times SquareWe found the airport subway and got a bit confused along the way. With hand luggage and two big backpacks we kind of stood out. (yes we are fools for the packing overload) But standing out worked in our favour as the locals were extremely helpful and directed us in the right direction. 12am NEW YORK train hopping is a must. The sense of fear and exhilaration awakened.

Statue of Liberty

Finally once inside our accommodation centrally located in the heart of Manhattan, we jumped on beds, screamed, looked out of our gigantic windows listening to the sweet sounds of NEW YORK then slept.

SOHOThings we did in New York: Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Down town, Uptown, Statue of Liberty, Soho, Rooftops, Times Square, Walking, Eating, Dining, Drinking, World Trade Memorial and much more.

NEW YORK

To be continued...........A post I know I will look back on when I'm 95 and say we did that.

Wednesday, 23 September 2015

Now me being me with a couple of hours spare stuck in the west end is never ever going to end well. I mean of course I had no other choice but to head to the closest safest place. A MAC STORE! It just seemed logical and to be honest I have no control of the movement of my own legs, before I know it I find myself dancing in the changing rooms in some kind of store somewhere, trying on clothes I definitely shouldn't be buying. (Is there something wrong with me?) I actually had a reason to be in Mac this time as I was told (when I was previously in Mac) that they are soon to be launching a new type of foundation so I was just merely investigating that rumour! (hahaha)

Just to set the picture before I finally get to Mac I don't really like big department stores such as House of Fraser, John Lewis, Selfridges etc. The bright lights, smiley gloss and music send me into what I can only describe as a weirdo trance like stare. My eyes start to sting and my knees just DO NOT like it. But I was feeling brave and found myself in House of Fraser, Oxford Street and actually went straight to the Chanel stand as I wanted to see what foundation they had on offer. After speaking to a friendly assistant it was pretty obvious that Chanel have nothing on offer for my skin tone. They currently don't stock foundation for my 'darker skin'. I was actually quite shocked and felt a bit singled out (Sad face). The lovely assistant did reiterate that Chanel have brought out darker foundations in the past but discontinued the line as the clientele just wasn't big enough here in the UK. Apparently if I want foundation from Chanel I have to go to the US to get it the lovely assistant advised.......So on from leaving the Chanel stand feeling a tad disappointed (but I'll always love moi Chanel) I stumbled across Clinique, where another lovely assistant (probably recognizing the 'trance like stare') offered me some needed help. She plopped me on a chair and advised me on the new Clinque concealer and foundation all in one that would be perfect for my skin. Out came the brush and the brightly product being applied onto my dry skin. The finish was actually quite nice, we had a little chat and then I went on to tell her about my dilemma of the Mac foundation that I've been using for years being discontinued and that I'm on my way to the Carnaby Mac store to try out a new foundation. She kindly advised me that there is actually a bigger closer Mac on New Bond Street opposite Victoria Secrets in a department store called Fenwick. I was like what's Fenwick she advised that it's a small department store that no one knows about, try there as they have a bigger selection. I thanked the lady who kind of reminded me of a beautiful British Kelly Rowland.

So off I trotted up New Bond Street to hunt for Fenwick. Hooray! It does actually exist and my trance state wasn't actually too bad.

As soon as you enter you are in the Mac makeup department which rings around the outskirts of the main entrance. The Clinque lady was right the store nicely had a quieter vibe to it. I found the new STUDIO WATERWEIGHT foundation and was kindly assisted by a flawless looking Mac staff member.

So after purchasing my new Mac product I caught a glimpse of CHARLOTTE TILBURY staring at me. (Actually not literally her just her new brand of cosmetics) So YES I needed to go over and have a little look.

Now I've heard lot's of great things about the Charlotte Tilbury range after watching a few tutorials.Then I saw the LIPSTICKS! DOH!

After trying on the entire range of the lipsticks I had no choice (It keeps happening) but to buy the BIRKIN BROWN

I was then forced to purchase STONED ROSES which is a lovely shade of pink for a nude natural(ish) lip. Again extremely soft and moisturizing on my skin.

My eyeliner has just run out so I thought I'd try the Rock N Roll Iconic Liquid eye pencil in Bedroom Black.

I love the jet black finish on my skin which is spot on for a dramatic vampy classic look. Also perfect for recreating the feline retro eye line flick. Again felt so seamlessly soft on my skin.

THE STUFF

I can honestly recommend this full coverage light weight MAC foundation if you like a dewy long lasting natural matte-sheen finish. I would recommend buffing into the skin with a brush and building as you go adding only a little at at a time. All of the CHARLOTTE TILBURY PRODUCTS have such effective finishes, they feel so comfortable on the skin and easy to wear. I haven't worn them for a full day yet so I will let you know how long they last. The packaging is very classic and subtly chic which I love. The product names are tributes to all the Iconic women from the 1950's who still inspire us today.

Thursday, 17 September 2015

This little sweet denim pinafore dress was such an
investment piece as I’ve literally worn this a billion times (I sure have) now
as it’s so wonderfully versatile. It actually looks like an authentic vintage
piece but it’s actually from good old trusty Topshop which I purchased over six
years ago. A staple piece is an item of clothing in your wardrobe that you can
wear over and over and over again in lot’s of different funky ways i.e pop an
opaque tights, booties and a thick knit for colder seasons, then a funky shirt
or crop top and simple sandals for warmer days or add heels/thigh high boots
and a stripped roll neck to create a sexy chic evening look. Your options are
endless which is what I absolutely love about the denim pinafore dress xxx

Top Shop defiantly got the flowery colour combination (dewy
reds, blues, yellows, greens and black) right in this lady like baby doll low
neck number. The print is spot on and I instantly feel fabulous in it. I’ve had
this top for years now and definitely think it’s a timeless piece. Perfect
Prints are the best!

Wednesday, 16 September 2015

Firstly I just wanted to say a big thank you to anyone who clicked on any of my recent posts. I honestly don't expect anyone to read them so when it happens I'm like 'What the beep' as there are a total of a Billion Gazillion online bloggers to choose from so I really do appreciate the little click to read mine. Also a big Hello and welcome to any new blog readers (Eeeeek).

So this post is all about my soul, well the music that keeps my soul alive (I know what that means in my messy head) but the best way I can explain it is by thinking of that silly scenario question What couldn't you live without if you were unfortunately stranded on a deserted island? My only item needed would be my trustee old Ipod (that didn't require charging) or a radio (with a lifetime of batteries) and I know I'd somehow.....Survive. .......To be honest I actually don't know where to start with this one hmmmm......Should I start right at the beginning......Nah that would be the longest post ever and probably quite emotional for moi. Hmmmmm I think I'll start here. I would say I've always had an open mind when it comes to music for all genres and types. I interpret it as the greatest art form that shouldn't be tamed or restricted. Okay.....Right I'm still kind of struggling to really put into real words my infatuated love with my music influences so I think the best way is to quite simply shut up and listen (bit rubbish as this is a blog post which requires writing! Doh)...................No words required.Enjoy x

Friday, 11 September 2015

MY LOVE OF THE 70'S FLARES CAME ABOUT IN MY EARLY 20'S. I JUST SIMPLY FEEL BODY HAPPIEST WEARING THEM. FOR ME THEY AREN'T A TREND. THESE I FOUND IN MY FAVORITE VINTAGE STORE MINT VINTAGE. I THINK I ACTUALLY DID A HAPPY DANCE WHILST FINDING THESE AUTHENTIC WRANGLER GEMS.